What is the difference between adjustment of status and naturalization?

Adjustment of status and naturalization are both ways of legally becoming a United States citizen, but they are different processes. Adjustment of status is the process of obtaining lawful permanent residence (green card) from within the United States. It is usually used by those already in the United States who are eligibile to adjust their immigration status. This process requires filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Naturalization, on the other hand, is the process of becoming a U.S. citizen from outside the United States. This is usually done by first obtaining a green card, and then after meeting certain eligibility requirements, filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. In Arizona, those who are eligible for adjustment of status may include certain family members of United States citizens. These include spouses, parents, and children of a U.S. citizen. Those who are eligible for naturalization may include those who have had a green card for a certain amount of time, have met certain requirements for residence and physical presence in the U.S., can demonstrate good moral character, have a basic understanding of the English language, and have a basic understanding of U.S. history and government. The process for each is different, but both adjustment of status and naturalization can be used to obtain U.S. citizenship.

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La diferencia entre ajuste de estado y naturalización se refiere a una forma de obtener ciudadanía estadounidense. El ajuste de estado es una petición para convertirse en ciudadano estadounidense que se presenta al Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS) antes de que un inmigrante salga de los Estados Unidos. En Arizona, un inmigrante que se presenta para el ajuste de estado debe tener un familiar ciudadano estadounidense o residente permanente que pueda patrocinarlo. El ajuste de estado incluye un examen médico y una entrevista del inmigrante en la que se hacen preguntas sobre su historia, sus motivos para migrar y otros temas. Por otro lado, la naturalización se refiere a la adquisición de la ciudadanía estadounidense. Una persona puede obtener la nacionalidad estadounidense a través de la naturalización cumpliendo los siguientes requisitos: tener ciudadanía de un país extranjero, cumplir los requisitos de edad, ser residente permanente durante cinco años consecutivos, demostrar conocimiento de inglés y pruebas de civismo. Además, una persona que solicite naturalización en Arizona debe tener una tarjeta verde válida. La naturalización también incluye una entrevista, un examen médico y un examen de civismo.

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What is the difference between adjustment of status and naturalization?

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